- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- L. R. Eswari
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Movie name
- Enna Muthalali Sowkkiyama
- Movie release year
- 1972
- Lyrics added on
- 27 Jul 2023
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song is a sharp, satirical critique of exploitative capitalists and wealthy proprietors who thrive on the hard labor of the working class. Through a series of playful yet biting rhetorical questions asking 'How are you doing?', the speaker mocks the wealthy elite's lavish lifestyle, their hoarded riches, iron safes, and unearned social accolades, contrasting them with the neglect faced by common laborers.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Irony / Sarcasm
“Enna mudhalaali sowkkiyamaa / Ungal irumbu pettiyum sowkkiyamaawellness check on an iron safe box and hoarded riches to mock the proprietor's greed and total indifference to human suffering.”
Rhetorical Question
“Ellaamum ippothu sowkkiyamaa asking if everything is fine, highlighting the social and economic divide.”
Alliteration
“Kattaatha pattukkal kattaani muththukkal repetitions of the initial 'ka' sound that create a rhythmic, catchy lyricism.”
Did you know?
Trivia
Featured in the 1972 Tamil social drama film 'Neethi', this iconic track composed by M. S. Vishwanathan features L. R. Eswari's expressive vocals and Kannadasan's punchy socio-political satire.
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